Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said Governor Siminalayi Fubara will suffer more setbacks amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Wike made the statement in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, during a Thanksgiving Service and Civic Reception held in his honour. His visit took place despite resistance from the community’s monarch and residents, who opposed the event due to rising political tensions in the state.
Earlier in the day, protests erupted in the area as demonstrators blocked roads and carried placards rejecting Wike’s presence. Videos shared on social media showed residents, including women and youths, voicing their opposition and demanding that the former governor stay away.
The protesters pointed to Wike’s past remark that the Kalabari people are a minority in the state as one of the reasons for their resentment.
The Amayanabo of Abalama, King Dr. A. B. Big Tom Tom JP, had officially distanced the community from the event. In a letter dated March 12, 2025, addressed to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, he expressed shock at learning about the program through social media and cited security concerns as the reason for rejecting it.
Amid the ongoing political crisis, the Supreme Court recently halted federal allocations to Rivers State until Governor Fubara presents the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly, which is led by Wike’s ally, Martins Amaewhule.
The Assembly, which Fubara has struggled to gain control over, adjourned plenary indefinitely last Friday, preventing him from presenting the budget.
Addressing the situation, Wike mocked Fubara’s leadership and blamed his advisers for his political troubles.
“You (Fubara) surrounded yourself with people who wanted to be governor, whom I said ‘no, these people don’t mean well for Rivers State.’ They are the ones surrounding you, giving you advice. Do you think you will succeed? They will give bad advice, and look at what bad advice is doing to you. You are already down 2-0, and there’s more to come,” Wike said.
